Project Controller

Reports To: C&Q Project Manager / C&Q Principal, ACE Technologies

Location: Indianapolis or Lebanon, IN (On site)

Role Purpose: The Project Controller provides integrated financial and schedule oversight for ACE’s Commissioning & Qualification (C&Q) and capital project portfolio. This role ensures accurate tracking of budgets, schedules, and progress metrics to support predictable, efficient project execution. Working closely with Project Managers and the C&Q Principal, the Project Controller maintains visibility into project performance, supports forecasting, and ensures timely reporting to leadership and clients. The role combines cost control, scheduling, and analytical insight to drive data-informed decisions across ACE’s active projects.

Financial & Schedule Planning: Develop and maintain detailed project budgets and baseline schedules in collaboration with Project Managers and C&Q Leads. Integrate financial and schedule data to track cost, resource, and milestone performance. Maintain cost-to-complete and earned value reporting at both project and portfolio levels. Identify schedule risks, budget variances, and resource bottlenecks, recommending corrective actions as needed.

Progress & Performance Tracking: Monitor weekly and monthly project progress against plan, including schedule adherence and deliverable completion. Validate schedule logic, dependencies, and forecast accuracy for ongoing work. Track key project milestones, deliverable submissions, and critical path items. Maintain accurate project dashboards to support leadership reviews and client updates.

Reporting & Forecasting: Prepare comprehensive project control reports covering schedule, cost, and performance KPIs. Support monthly project and portfolio reviews with up-to-date status summaries. Develop forward-looking forecasts for manpower, schedule, and financial projections. Provide early warning analysis for potential delays or overruns and support recovery planning.

Change & Contract Management: Track contract value, scope adjustments, and approved changes throughout project lifecycle. Support the preparation of proposals and change orders with data-driven inputs. Ensure that billing and invoicing align with progress and schedule milestones.

Continuous Improvement: Contribute to the development of ACE’s project controls standards and templates. Help refine schedule management tools and reporting workflows across projects. Capture and share lessons learned related to planning, forecasting, and reporting accuracy.

Key Competencies: Strong analytical and scheduling acumen, with attention to detail and accuracy. Advanced understanding of project planning principles and earned value management. Effective communicator, able to translate complex data into actionable insights. Organized and proactive; able to manage multiple projects simultaneously. Team-oriented and collaborative across technical, financial, and leadership functions.

Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Finance, or related discipline (MBA or PMP preferred).5+ years of experience in project controls, cost/schedule engineering, or financial analysis within a technical or regulated industry (pharma/biotech preferred).Proficiency in project management software (MS Project, Primavera P6, or Smartsheet) and analytics tools (Excel, Power BI).Experience with schedule integration, earned value, and resource forecasting. Familiarity with GMP environments and commissioning/qualification project lifecycles is advantageous.

Position Context: The Project Controller acts as a bridge between project management, engineering, and finance, ensuring projects stay on schedule and within budget. Provides real-time visibility to the C&Q Principal and leadership team on performance trends and emerging risks. Plays a key role in strengthening ACE’s project governance framework as the organization scales.